Batch Commands

Batch Commands in batch files
@	Does not echo back the text after the at symbol. This is most commonly used as @ECHO OFF to prevent any of the commands in the batch file from being displayed just the information needed.
%1	Variables can be inserted into a batch structure in the form of command line arguements. These are in the form %1, %2, etc. To populate the variables, type the desired values after the batch file name when executing it. The following is a batch file example: echo Hello %1 When the above one line batch file is created and adding your name after the batch file. For example typing myname (being the name of the bat file) and then your name: myname bob would output: Hello bob
:LABEL	By adding a colon in front of a word such as LABEL you create a category, more commonly known as a label. Then you can skip to certain sections of a batch file such as the end of the batch file. Also see GOTO.
CALL	Calls another batch file and then returns control to the first when done. CALL C:\WINDOWS\NEW_BAT.BAT Call another program. CALL C:\WINDOWS\System32\calc.exe
CHOICE	Allows user input. Default is Y or N. You may make your own choice with the /C: switch. The following is a batch file example: @ECHO OFF CHOICE /C:123 IF errorlevel 3 goto THREE IF errorlevel 2 goto TWO IF errorlevel 1 goto ONE> :ONE ECHO One PAUSE EXIT :TWO ECHO Two PAUSE EXIT :THREE ECHO Three PAUSE EXIT
CLS	Clears the screen.
ECHO	Setting ECHO "on" will display the batch process to the screen, setting it to "off" will hide the batch process. ECHO can also be used in batch file to send output to the screen: @ECHO OFF ECHO Hello PAUSE ECHO. sends a blank line
EXIT	Exits out of the DOS window if the batch file is run from Windows.
GOTO	Used to go to a certain label such as LABEL. An example of GOTO would be to GOTO SUBSECTION.
IF	Used to check for a certain condition if the condition exists. If that condition exists, it will perform that function. The following is a batch file example: @ECHO OFF :START COPY file.txt file2.txt IF errorlevel 1 GOTO MKFILE GOTO :END :MKFILE ECHO file text>file.txt GOTO START :END ECHO Quitting PAUSE
PAUSE	Prompt the user to press any key to continue.
REM	You can place comments (remarks) into the batch file without displaying or executing that line when the batch file is run.
SHIFT	Changes the position of replaceable parameters in a batch program.
START	Used for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0 and above to start a windows application such as START C:\WINDOW\CALC would run the Windows Calculator.

Depending on the version of DOS you are using, either type in HELP and the command-name or type in the command-name and /? to receive help on the command.